ANMELDEN"Gray SUV," Calder murmurs without moving his lips, as we reach the top of the district office steps. "Across the street, two men, parked since seven."I don't turn my head. I let my gaze drift over the street as though I'm admiring the clock tower, and I catch the shape of it at the edge of my vision, a plain gray vehicle with tinted windows and two silhouettes in the front seats."Plate?""Already run. It belongs to a fleet account registered to the Veyra pack."Raylynn's fingers tighten around mine. "Osric's people.""Or someone borrowing Osric's cars, though I doubt anyone is that creative." I keep my voice light and my face pleasant, because I'd like them to see an Alpha with nothing to hide. "Calder, photographs, timestamps, plate, and nobody goes near them. Let them watch us walk in.""Already done."Elder Wren has come up the steps behind us, leaning on his cane, and from the sharpness of his glance toward the street I can tell he has understood most of what he's overheard. "I
Jupiter's pen stops moving. "Which is?"I wait until every elder at the table has looked up, because I want what comes next heard in full and not talked over, and then I fold my hands on the polished wood and keep my voice level."I have two requests, and I'd like both recorded in the minutes."At the far end of the room, a young clerk with ink-stained cuffs bends over his ledger and begins to write."The first concerns the test itself. When Raylynn's portfolio was reviewed, the Council brought in members from outside our territory, people with no ties to me, to the Veyra pack, or to the Northgate project, so that nobody would have to wonder whether they'd been influenced. I'm asking for the same standard here."Jupiter's mouth tightens. "The Trial of Bonds has been witnessed by this Council for two hundred years.""And I respect that. I'm not suggesting anyone at this table is compromised. I'm saying that when an alliance between two packs, a partnership worth more than most of us wi
“A real skeleton?” I repeat, staring at Peter.He nods. “Yes, Luna."“But how is that possible? Ivy and I uncovered just the plastic skeleton.”I grip the edge of the counter. Zephyr moves closer, resting a hand on my lower back. “We'll get the results.”I look at Peter. “Did they say how long the testing would take?”“They promised to provide an update as soon as they have one. I also have the names of the Council members who supervised the excavation.”“Good. I want those names.”Peter nods.“Were the remains buried directly beneath the plastic skeleton?” I ask again, unable to wrap my head around the new situation.“Yes, Luna. The plastic one was closer to the surface. The human remains were underneath.”I exchange a look with Zephyr. Someone had deliberately buried a real skeleton in Jason's grave after I left there. It wasn't a mistake, and it wasn't an ordinary burial.But why?“Peter,” Zephyr says, “send me the names and the excavation report. I want copies of everything.”“Yes
I find Raylynn in the garden, standing beside a basket of freshly picked tomatoes and green peppers.She's wearing a loose dress, her hair falling over her shoulders as she examines a particularly ripe tomato.I don't announce myself.Instead, I walk up behind her, slide both arms around her waist, and pull her against my chest.She lets out a small squeal.“Zephyr!”I bury my face in her neck, right where my mark rests, and kiss it slowly.“God, I've been craving this all day.”She laughs, leaning back against me. “You held me less than two hours ago.”“That wasn't enough.”“Apparently, you have a very serious problem.”“An incurable one.”I kiss the spot beneath her ear, and she tilts her head to give me better access.“You're going to make me drop these vegetables.”“I'll buy you more.”“That's not the point.”I turn her around before she can protest further and capture her lips.Her hands settle on my shoulders as I kiss her deeply, forgetting the reports waiting on my desk and th
My study is buried beneath a week’s worth of reports, budgets, patrol schedules, and unanswered messages, and I am doing my best to catch up on all of it before the pack decides its Alpha has abandoned his responsibilities.“Tell me again why the eastern boundary report needs my signature,” I say, turning a page.“Because you’re the Alpha,” Calder replies from the chair opposite my desk.“That explains the signature. It doesn’t explain why the report is thirty pages.”“Because you asked for details.”“I asked for the important details.”“You said you wanted everything.”“I was clearly having a difficult day.”Calder laughs. “You were having a difficult night. There’s a difference.”I look up at him. “Careful.”“What? I’m happy for you. Truly. But the entire pack heard you mark Raylynn. Half of them are still talking about it.”“They can talk.”“They are talking. They’re also asking when the Luna ceremony will be.”“Tell them when Raylynn is ready.”“And the wedding?”“When Raylynn is
"Raylynn," I correct him pleasantly. "I'm Raylynn."His expression hardens."Raylynn, then. Do you understand the consequences of what your mate has done?"I meet his gaze."I understand that he chose me."A few people in the crowd murmur their approval. Jupiter's cane strikes the grass. "This is not a romantic matter. It concerns the stability of this pack and the authority of the Council.""Then perhaps you should have arrived at a more reasonable hour," Nix mutters through me. "Some of us were sleeping."I cough to cover my laugh. Zephyr's shoulders shake once.Jupiter's eyes sharpen. "What was that?""Nothing," I reply sweetly. "I was simply wondering whether the Council had breakfast before coming here."Ivy makes a choking sound somewhere behind me. One of the younger elders looks away suspiciously quickly. Jupiter does not smile."This matter will be discussed formally. Your presence will be required, Alpha. And so will hers."Zephyr steps forward half a pace. "Then you'll have







